As reported by Sir Robert Ownsley, Special Emissary to the Russian Court,
1786.
The Czarina Catherine had apparently grown irritable at the conduct of one
of her ladies-in-waiting. The young girl had presumably engaged in carnal
conduct with the wrong courtier. The Czarina ordered the exceptionally
pretty young maid bound, in full court attire, to a curved couch. For fear
of her life the woman did not protest, nor did she offer any resistance,
yet the look of stark fear in her face was quite noticeable to all present.
Upon orders, her shoes and stockings were removed, revealing to the crowd
her very white and quite comely feet. The feet are considered to be
sexually arousing to the Russians, and several ladies blushed while the men
became noticeably aroused by their mere exposure. The young lady herself
seemed to be as embarrassed as if she were suddenly naked.
Two other young ladies, who were employed as professional foot-ticklers,
took their place at the foot of the couch, as the victimized young woman
began to squirm. At this point the Czarina gave a command that was
interpreted to me as meaning: "Let the teasing begin, and do not let it
cease until I give the command."
Now one of the ticklers produced a small brush, and the other used the
tips of her fingers as they began to torment the hapless young maiden. The
girl's reaction to her tickling was so immediate and violent that it was
apparent she would not long endure this cruel treatment. She struggled with
such vigor as to shake the couch that held her securely. After several
minutes her laughter and screaming seemed to be that of one demon
possessed. Her wailing pleas of mercy seemed to incite pleasure in the
audience, but in none so much as Catherine, herself, who seemed to grow
quite excited at the poor girl's suffering. The absolute despair in her
tortured and almost unintelligible utterings caused great pity in me.
It is delicate torture, one that most Englishmen apply with great delight
to the feet and sides of their daughters and youthful wives. I thought of
my own little daughter and the wonderful laughter I had forced from her by
gentle teasing of her tiny feet and toes. How unlike that loving parental
teasing this was!
I must admit to being impressed by the skill of the professional ticklers.
The woman with the brush seemed to know each and every possible nuance of
the sole of her victims foot. Her stroking was very deliberate and planned,
taking care to the brushing of the sides and tips of each toe, following
the lines of the arch with artistic accuracy, even though the foot was
squirming and jerking about in desperation. She seemed able to anticipate
the movement of each jerk. The girl who was using her fingers seemed
equally adept in stroking, nay, caressing the sole in wave after wave of
maddening ten-finger coordination.
After about an hour or longer, the girl was so hoarse from shrieking,
screaming, and laughing that only guttural sounds emerged from a face that
seemed more a mask of over-indulged panic and certain death. Several
courtiers began pleading with the Czarina that the girl would soon indeed
be dead, and she reluctantly ordered cessation. Still the girl took some
time to recover, as did the spectators. I never heard the frightened girl
utter another word.